Shrubs to trees, without exudate. Leaves simple, alternate, spirally arranged, often with toothed margins, usually smooth and shiny. Stipules absent. Flowers often solitary in leaf axils, spectacular with 5 small sepals, 5-6 showy petals and many stamens. Ovary superior, 5-locular. Fruits capsules that split open. Often with winged seeds.
General info
Distribution Widespread with 600 species. Ecology Usually more common at higher elevations. Some species can tolerate disturbance quite well. Usually in closed forests. Uses Tea (Camellia chinensis), some ornamentals, and some timber species. Similar to Guttiferae (Clusiaceae, Calophyllaceae and Hypericaceae) but these differ in opposite leaves and yellow sap. Symplocaceae, but these differ in their inferior ovaries and presence of 3 bracts under each flower.
Family description
Shrubs to trees, without exudate.Leaves simple, alternate, spirally arranged, often with toothed margins, usually smooth and shiny. Stipules absent.
Flowers often solitary in leaf axils, spectacular with 5 small sepals, 5-6 showy petals and many stamens. Ovary superior, 5-locular.
Fruits capsules that split open. Often with winged seeds.
General info
Distribution Widespread with 600 species.Ecology Usually more common at higher elevations. Some species can tolerate disturbance quite well. Usually in closed forests.
Uses Tea (Camellia chinensis), some ornamentals, and some timber species.
Similar to Guttiferae (Clusiaceae, Calophyllaceae and Hypericaceae) but these differ in opposite leaves and yellow sap. Symplocaceae, but these differ in their inferior ovaries and presence of 3 bracts under each flower.
Treated genera
Theaceae.pdf
Camellia lanceolata
Gordonia integerrima
Schima wallichii